Cochin

Stayed in Fort Cochin which was a breath of fresh air - fewer rickshaws and less pollution. Stayed here four nights in a nice hotel. Minutes walk from the iconic Chinese fishing nets. Watched the fish being caught in these cleverly designed contraptions. You can buy fish directly from the fishermen and have a restaurant cook it for your lunch or dinner! The highlight of our stay was a traditional Keralan dance show called Kathakali. We first watched the hour and a half long process of the actors putting their make up on. Were then treated to a crazy but totally absorbing performance about a green hero who wants to rid the woods of an evil red monster. After much huffing and puffing, he has a cunning plan to take the monster some food and eat it in front of him, thus one angry and eventually dead red monster. We also did a cooking course and learnt how to cook Keralan fish curry, chapattis, dal and a veg/coconut dish. From Cochin, took the bus to Alleppey.

Alleppey

After spending a couple of hours negotiating the best deal in town, we booked our overnight houseboat (a Kettuballam or traditional rice barge) trip for the next day. Included in our package we had a 3 man crew (Captain, first mate and cook), Lunch, afternnon tea, Dinner, Bed for the night and breakfast. We were both amazed at the luxury of both the boat and the service. We spent the next 24 hours drifting peacefully through the still backwaters (palm tree and rice field lined canal system) watching the daily local village life and being waited on hand and foot! At night time, the anchor was dropped and we slept on board. This boat trip has been the highlight of our journey so far! Both craving some more sun and sea we next headed down to the cliff side beach - Varkala.